FAVORITE TEAMS

We are here. It’s Week 1 and college football season officially (officially!) kicks off with a slate of big-time games. But before some of you sports fans sit down during the afternoon or the evening to a nice meal and drink whether it’s by yourself, your pet, your family, your coworkers, or your fellow AI you got to know well during the offseason, I have my CFP predictions finally laid out for y’all.

Some of y’all might think I’m crazy or this isn’t happening or it’s not possible. I did as much work as I possibly could and ended up choosing MY 12 that could make the postseason. In a world of the 12-team playoff in Year 3, we learned that the portal and the NIL can turn a lowly, woeful team into a CFP and National Championship contender (Indiana as the prime example). Anything can happen in this new era of football…unless you’re LSU that’s trying to sign NFL players to the roster. Here is my CFP prediction and be sure to check out my podcast because I’m predicting who will win the National Championship from this exact layout for fun. Check it out! Otherwise, good luck to your favorite schools this season. But if you’re a Texas, Boise State or UNLV fan, y’all can kick rocks in a CFB cellar. Ok State fans, I don’t like y’all, but you get a pass since you got my favorite QB Drew Mestemaker. Don’t get him killed!

The legendary coach Pat Hill said this famous motto, “Anybody, anytime, anywhere.” From the Pacific Coast Athletic Association to the Big West, to the WAC, to Mountain West, and now to the New Pac-12, Fresno State knows how to compete no matter where they are. It may not be the competition we all expected in the New Pac-12, but after Week 1, Fresno runs the tables with a good defense who forces turnovers consistently. In what potentially will be a pass-heavy conference, Fresno’s pass coverage should still manage to create issues for them. All it takes is good quarterback play, and they have a chance. I think they will defeat Boise State in the New Pac-12 title game. Not only that, but they’ll also come out as the highest Group of 6 team to make the college football playoff.

11) HOUSTON (BIG 12 RUNNER-UP)

Under the command of Conner Weigman and coach Willie Fritz in Year 3, Houston may have an improved and upgraded roster. Adding running back Makhi Hughes from Oregon while not having BYU and Arizona State on the schedule could mean a better opportunity for the Cougars to take advantage of their schedule and finally make the Big 12 title game. Houston’s defense must improve to stave off good quarterback competition. An improved passing defense and more edge rush could go a long way. They have Texas Tech at Lubbock, but their quarterback question carries that far to where Houston is in a better position than Tech. They may have a slip up against a team like Kansas State, Utah, or West Virginia, but they should still be in good position to play in the Big 12 title game. They won’t win, but they complete enough criteria to get into the CFP as an At-Large. Biggest accomplishment in Willie Fritz’s history!

10) TEXAS

Yes, Texas is here and no they’re not higher up. Their talented roster takes a step forward this season, but the offensive line might be questionable when it comes to protecting Arch Manning and seeing through on the run game. Nonetheless, the Longhorns have enough talent and experience to run through most of their gauntlet schedule that includes 9 SEC teams!!! Ohio State’s their chance to leverage a spot in the CFP, but they might go through some growing pains again against Matt Patricia’s defense. That matchup will define who this offense is prior to SEC play against teams with defenses that either matches or almost matches Ohio State’s. They survive most of the SEC schedule, but they may struggle against Oklahoma’s improved offense, Ole Miss’s deadly backfield, and back-to-back games against Missouri and LSU. They likely lose no more than 2 or 3 games and comes up short in the SEC title game. However, their strength of schedule and key wins is better than most teams’ resumes behind them and qualifies for the CFP.

9) PENN STATE

This is me following the media and I hope that doesn’t bite me later. I do see Penn State with a CFP opportunity. Not only do they have most of the Iowa State players transferred here, but they also have one of the easiest schedules in college football. It doesn’t mean they’ll make the CFP field easily, but they won’t have to face Ohio State, Iowa, Oregon or Indiana. However, they must face USC and go to Michigan in back-to-back weeks. We also can’t discount Northwestern prior to those two because they tend to cause issues against stiffer competition. Otherwise, they should run through their schedule if everyone meshes together as one Nittany Cyclone. Quarterback Rocco Becht is great in gametime situations while the defense combined between returning Nittany Lions and Iowa State could turn into one of the better Big Ten defenses. They likely don’t compete for the Big Ten title because at least three teams ahead of them are better, but they still make the CFP because of their schedule despite losing possibly one or two games.

8) OKLAHOMA (SEC RUNNER-UP)

Oklahoma was originally expected to finish with maybe 7 to 8 wins per average projections on the 2026 schedule. A lot must do with one of the toughest schedules in the nation and a questionable offensive line and running back position. However, they go above and beyond with a more experienced and retooled offensive roster. The offensive line hopefully takes a step to where it makes them about as nasty as their old Big 12 offensive linemen. The run game follows suit with a run-by-committee strategy with Xavier Robinson and Troy Blaylock leading the way with a potential transfer running back joining the fray. If all that comes together, so does the full potential of quarterback John Mateer. He has another great year and overcomes the schedule with the Sooners’ staunch defense that makes a run for another CFP opportunity. They might end up with a couple losses or three somewhere on their schedule, but they might also take out one of the better SEC opponents whether it’s Georgia, Texas, or Ole Miss. The Michigan game likely decides how far up the polls they go. They also find their way in the SEC title game because of their strong run and/or other SEC teams faltering below them. They come up short in the title game, but they still make the field in a good spot to host once again and hopefully win their first ever CFP game (in 6 tries!!!)

7) INDIANA

Curt Cignetti built Indiana’s winning success that eventually turned into a championship success. Now, they move on without Fernando Mendoza, their top pass-catchers, their leader at the offensive line position, and their two stud running backs (again). But that didn’t stop the program from reloading again with experience that produced career numbers as starters for other teams. Those include Josh Hoover, Turbo Richard, Nick Marsh, Joe Brunner, and even defensive players like AJ Harris and two Kansas State edge rushers. That and they filled holes in key spots on defense to make-up a team that’s ready for a third straight CFP run. However, they may suffer a loss or two depending on who those teams are. They mainly are Ohio State, Michigan, or USC or maybe even Nebraska. They likely come up short because the other two overcame a tougher overall schedule and will face each other in a rematch in the Big Ten title game, but Indiana should make the CFP field.

6) MIAMI (ACC CHAMP)

I’ve always been bullish on Miami and felt they will always come up short because of ugly circumstances, just like last year against Louisville and SMU, and also not playing in the ACC title game for whatever stupid reason. After becoming runner-up in the National Championship, I’m bullish on them making the ACC title game. Now with the addition of quarterback Darian Mensah (who played in two different conference title games with Tulane and Duke), there’s no excuse for the Canes. My only problem with that roster is the offensive line and defensive line adjusting without their top players that helped them to a National Championship run. They still have a manageable schedule that still includes Clemson, Wake Forest, Florida State, and Notre Dame. They’ll likely conquer most of it, but a loss or two will come somewhere against these 4 teams mentioned and it could be due to incoming unfortunate circumstances again. They still run the tables and make the ACC title game, but that also isn’t a cakewalk. I had thoughts of Florida State, Clemson, Wake Forest, Louisville, SMU, or even one of the commonwealth state teams (Virginia or Va Tech) making the title game. SMU likely comes out of that smoke and Miami’s pit against them in a very tough battle. Miami eventually conquers them and wins their first ACC title on their way to a CFP return.

5) GEORGIA (SEC CHAMP)

Since Texas appeared in the SEC, it was already assumed they would be the face of the conference. Kirby Smart says otherwise and knows the ‘Horns don’t have that Dawg in them. They don’t face Texas this time despite the matchup history tying at 4 a piece, but Georgia’s still presented with a gauntlet schedule. So does their roster that’s led by quarterback Gunner Stockton. They shouldn’t have a problem in their first three games, but then there’s Oklahoma, Alabama, Auburn (maybe), Florida, Ole Miss, and Georgia Tech. They’ll conquer most of them with no more than two losses and play in another SEC title game. They potentially see Oklahoma again but will have the SEC title game in hand and on their way to the CFP just missing out on the Top 4. This might actually be good for once because they’re currently 0-2 since the 12-team playoff’s inception.

4) OREGON (BIG TEN RUNNER-UP)

Most of the Ducks players from last season return for an “unfinished business” season. After coming up short against another eventual champs and struggling in primetime games, those must end now. Dante Moore must put everything together for a championship season and hope the receivers stay healthy too. Defense will be the strength led by the angry Ducks in Matayo Uiagalelei, Bear Alexander, A’Mauri Washington, and Teitum Tuioti along with a good pass coverage. Their schedule is no cakewalk. Even if they defeat both Boise State and Oklahoma State, their first Big Ten game is at USC. Once they reach November, they’re met with The Game opponents in Ohio State at The Shoe and at home against former Pac-12 rival coach Kyle Whittingham and Michigan before hosting Washington at the end of the season. I would watch out for Michigan State now that Pat Fitzgerald’s in charge. They survive a tough schedule with maybe a few scars to make the Big Ten championship and are likely met with a loss in a rematch with Ohio State. Here’s how I see this playing out, they go to Ohio State and win that matchup before getting equalized in the Big Ten title game. They still get the bye after finishing in the Top 4 of the rankings with probably one loss on their entire schedule, which is better than most.

3) BYU (BIG 12 CHAMP)

After Oklahoma and Texas’s departure back in 2024, BYU had back-to-back 10-plus win seasons. They’re expected to pull off a three-fer and finally make the CFP. Their schedule is a little bit easier than expected despite the fact they’re figuring out their receiving corps to compliment BYU’s deadly backfield duo. The team will go as far as Bear Bachmeier goes while incoming freshmen Ryder Lyons is on his 2-year mission. The rest of the offense and defense should be as good as last season if not better. Their manageable schedule includes Arizona, TCU, Notre Dame, Arizona State, and Utah. The Notre Dame game determines BYU’s potential tiebreaker for a CFP spot and what happens with the rest of the Big 12 schedule. They should come out with no more than a loss and make their second straight Big 12 appearance against Houston. They hold them off for their first title and make the CFP with a bye. This would be by far Kilani Sitake’s biggest accomplishment and a story that could be added to his BYU tenure.

2) NOTRE DAME

I think everyone in the media world are already bullish on Notre Dame making the CFP undefeated and competing for the national championship for the second time in three seasons. I think the angry Fighting Irish are already aware of it after the ending they received during the committee’s announcement. Backing out of a bowl should serve as a motivator to do right by college football and their program and compete to the very best of their ability. They lose two star-studded running backs to the first round of the NFL draft, but they have two more that could fill the spot nicely. Quarterback CJ Carr’s expected to be a Heisman contender, the offensive line should be at their best, and the receiving corps could be by far the best group in Notre Dame’s history. Defense should be as dangerous as last season’s with leaders at each level of that side. With everything put together, it should put on one heck of a season again. However, they face Wisconsin in neutral site, face BYU at Provo for what could be one of the best matchups in 2026 with a CFP spot on the line, follow up with a “mark-on-schedule” rematch against Miami that jumped them for the last CFP spot, and then host SMU that will give Notre Dame a run for their money. Notre Dame likely finishes the season undefeated with a much-improved roster that’ll hope their run game is put together to help.

1) OHIO STATE (BIG TEN CHAMP)

The Buckeyes expectations have never been higher (does it go above space???), and they’re expected to win all their games and win the Big Ten title. They have the majority of their offense back with Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson, and Jeremiah Smith leading a deep roster. Their defense went through some changes, but they have players that contributed last year and added key players from the transfer portal. No matter who they are, Matt Patricia’s the mastermind behind their success. The biggest question is if the offensive line improves after their last 2-game fallout in the Big Ten title game and the CFP? Their schedule’s no slouch and anything could happen in key matchups like Texas, at Iowa, at Indiana, at USC, Oregon, at Nebraska, and at Michigan. Here’s how I see this result; they defeat all of their key opponents except Oregon. Texas is up in the air, but the Buckeyes could defeat them too. Their roster’s built to combat most of their schedule that have minor glaring weaknesses. When they face Oregon the first time, they falter slightly because of the offensive line. They meet them again in the Big Ten title game and Ohio State finally has an answer to their line’s woes and outplays them. Ohio State wins the Big Ten title and gains the overall seed in the CFP.